Do You Know? Nothing’s new flagship over-ear headphones include a Flat EQ switch that disables equalization and spatial audio processing, giving users an option intended for studio work.
The $399 Nothing Headphone 1 Pro combines active noise cancellation (ANC), multiple sound profiles and tactile controls with a triple-driver design. The headphones are the company’s premium over-ear model and retain Nothing’s distinctive design language.
What makes the Headphone 1 Pro different?
The headphones use three drivers in each earcup: a 40mm dynamic driver for bass, a separate midrange driver and an xMEMS driver for upper frequencies. According to The Verge’s review, the design is intended to let each driver focus on a specific range.
Nothing also includes a Flat EQ switch on the inside corner of the left earcup. When enabled, the switch removes EQ and spatial audio processing through the Nothing X app. The feature is designed to help studio professionals hear a mix without additional coloration from the headphones.
The reviewer found that Nothing’s default Balanced EQ setting emphasizes the mids and highs, while Flat EQ brings those frequencies more in line with the bass. The review notes that Flat EQ may sound less airy for regular listening, meaning it is more specialized than a general-purpose sound setting.
Features and performance
- Active noise cancellation designed to reduce low-frequency rumble, including air-conditioning and airplane noise.
- Auracast transmission and reception through the Nothing X app.
- LDAC support and wired or wireless high-resolution audio up to 24-bit/96kHz.
- Wired lossless audio over USB-C up to 24-bit/192kHz.
- Tactile controls, including a volume roller.
- IP52-rated construction.
The Verge reported that ANC performance was impressive during its short testing period, although it did not match the current top performers identified in the review: Sony’s XM6, Bose’s Ultra Headphones Gen 2 and Apple’s AirPods Max 2. With music playing, the reviewer said the headphones provided effective isolation from surrounding sound.
Battery and design
Nothing says the Headphone 1 Pro can provide up to 30 hours of battery life with ANC enabled, or up to 68 hours with ANC turned off. The headphones include a folding hard case, but the case protects the earcups while leaving the headband exposed.
The design closely follows Nothing’s existing headphone style, including tactile controls. The review praised the controls and volume roller, but criticized the case for not protecting the entire headset.
Who are they for?
The Flat EQ switch is aimed primarily at studio professionals who want an unprocessed listening option. For everyday listeners, the review suggests that the headphones’ ANC, sound quality and distinctive design may be more significant than the studio feature.
Nothing developed the Flat EQ concept through a partnership with Metropolis Studios, a recording and mastering space in London. The Verge’s review said the feature could be useful for studio work but may feel like a novelty to most regular users.
What happens next?
The Verge’s reviewer had not spent enough time with the Headphone 1 Pro to deliver a full verdict or score and said the review would be updated after further use and comparison. The initial assessment described the headphones as Nothing’s best to date, while noting that the review was still incomplete.
FAQ
How much do the Nothing Headphone 1 Pro cost?
The headphones are priced at $399, according to the supplied review.
What is the Flat EQ switch?
It is a physical switch that disables EQ and spatial audio processing through the Nothing X app, creating an unprocessed audio option intended for studio use.
Do they support active noise cancellation?
Yes. The Headphone 1 Pro include ANC, which the review found effective at reducing low-frequency rumble, though not quite as capable as several leading competitors.
How long does the battery last?
Nothing lists up to 30 hours with ANC enabled and up to 68 hours with ANC disabled.
Bottom Line
The Nothing Headphone 1 Pro stand out with triple drivers, Auracast support and a rare Flat EQ control aimed at studio listening. Their ANC and battery claims make them a broader consumer product, but The Verge’s full verdict was still pending at the time of the supplied review.
Source
This report is based on information published by The Verge.
